At last night’s Bowling Green City Council meeting, Mayor John Quinn addressed the members and audience with information on the proposed .08 percent temporary income tax.
Quinn said he had heard some students were unsure of the actual percentage of income tax increase and, after no one raised any questions, provided a brochure titled ‘Vote yes to Maintain Quality Services in BG.’
The brochure goes into detail on the issue that will be voted on in the Nov. 3 election, including the services that are at risk if the income tax does not pass, the safety and quality of life in Bowling Green, as well as frequently asked questions by city residents.
According to the brochure, if approved, the increase would raise the City Income Tax from the current 1.92 percent to 2 percent on earned income for a three-year period effective Jan. 1, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2012. Money collected from the income tax increase would be placed in the City’s General Fund and is projected to yield approximately $600,000 annually for each of the three years.
Revenue shortfalls in the City’s General Fund and Fire Levy Fund are the primary factors for this ballot issue.
If the temporary income tax does not pass, some services will have to be discontinued. These include a change of focus of the Pearl Street Fire Station, elimination of funding for school crossing guards, a change public work services, personnel changes and a reduction or elimination of financial support for community events.
The temporary income tax increase will allow the city to provide the same services in 2010 that were provided in past years, according to Quinn’s brochure. Students and residents can get additional information about the city’s finances with a brochure that offers additional details about the financial situation, as well as a breakdown of the city’s income tax distribution by visiting www.bgohio.org.
Wendy Stram, executive director of Bowling Green Conventions and Visitors Bureau, addressed the council with information on the third annual ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own Town’ event. The event was created three years ago as a way to promote community awareness.
‘This year we’ve partnered with BGSU, which gave us an opportunity for businesses to shine, such as our museums, the community center and parks,’ Stram said.
Twenty venues will be opened including the Little Red School House, art galleries and the Bowling Green Public Library, as well as 20 additional venues participating downtown offering special promotions, sales and entertainment.
‘Since we’ve partnered with the University this year, the ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own Town’ will be held during family weekend so families can pick and choose which attractions they wish to attend,’ she said.
Because the University is participating, the Conventions and Visitors Bureau has added a second day to the ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own Town,’ which is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.’
